12 Days of Blogmas Day 7: One Perfect Day by Lauraine Snelling

I'm going to use the actual blurb I think....

Nora Peterson is determined to make this Christmas perfect. Next year her twin teenagers will be off at college, and their lives will never be quite the same. With her husband delayed on a business trip abroad, Nora's nerves ate already frazzled when she gets the news of a car accident that will not only change the Petersons' lives forever, but also those of another family whom they've never met.
As a nurse, Jenna Montgomery has always struggled with balancing her personal and professional life. Her daughter, Heather, has suffered from a heart defect most of her life. Now that Heather is twenty years old and still on the organ transplant waiting list Jenna must find a way to accept that this is likely their last Christmas together. Then the miracle Jenna has desperately prayed for becomes a reality in an instant, and Heather's health is restored.
While Nora struggles with depression and grief, Jenna discovers that miracles aren't always easy to receive.


This is such an emotional book. Probably the most emotional book I've read by Lauraine Snelling. I've enjoyed her writing since I was 10 or 12, and One Perfect Day was no exception. This is definitely one of the most Christmas-y books that I've read in a while. This isn't just a mention Christmas in passing. Probably because Jenna and Nora are both determined to have the best Christmas ever. Christmas decorations and foods and traditions are packed in here. It wasn't a perfect day, just a "let you know" thing. It was a very sad day. I honestly wanted to burst into tears almost the whole book. This isn't a pick-me-up, get-ready-for-Christmas, type of book, but I'd absolutely recommend it. You should definitely read this book. The weight of the grief and the fear and the tentative hope makes this a deeper book, but I couldn't have enjoyed this 5 star book more. And I know I repeated myself over and over again, but just know that this is a powerful book.

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you check back tomorrow for more Blogmas fun!

Review: Holding the Fort by Regina Jennings (Blogmas Day 6)

Sorry this is late. Also, I know this isn't Christmas but I couldn't really wait for this one. I hope you'll forgive me and enjoy it anyway! Look for Christmas stuff to come back tomorrow, and an interview very soon.


Louisa was the best singer the Cat-Eye saloon had ever had, but when she's replaced by someone younger, she has no place to go. Unless she goes out west to keep an eye on her little brother, who just can't seem to stay out of mischief! And then... horror of all horrors, she's mistaken for a governess. With her heart at stake, can Louisa keep up the act, or will she be turned away forever?

This book deserves 5 stars. If you've never read a book by Regina Jennings before (which I'll admit, was me...) this is a great book to make you a fan for life. I got to the end and searched frantically for some sort of blurb for a sequel. Thankfully this is book one in a series, because I'd go crazy if this was all I ever got to see of these now beloved characters. At first glance, you may think "Oh, been there, read that" but phooey on you. You haven't met the likes of Bradley Willis, impetuous but good, or Louisa, who is this strange dichotomy in and of herself. You may have met a doppelganger but each one is different. And the life at the fort, well, actually poor Louisa didn't get out much, so that takes backseat to the real issues here. I love seeing both sides of the Indian argument here. Or rather, many different sides, since there are rarely ever only two ways to look at an issue this big. I'm so glad i read this book, and you will be too! It's a treat, and I was hard-pressed to put it down. I hope you'll enjoy this book (With the beautiful lavender cover and the raised lettering) as much as I did.

Sorry, that's a terrible picture. Anyway, thank you to Bethany House Publishers for this book.

12 Days of Blogmas Day 5: Holiday Hideout by Lynette Eason

Abby's heartbroken that she couldn't save her sister and niece after both die during an attempted home-delivery. To make matters worse, her brother-in-law and his cop buddies are makin g her life miserable. She's on the run now but she's afraid that Reese could hurt the wonderful family that she is staying with. Abby wants to tell Cal her story but she's afraid that since he's a cop he'll side with Reese. Can she trust him with her life, and her heart?



This gets 5 stars!

1: I could not put it down! The story had me from the start. The suspense was bone chilling, or maybe that was a side effect of reading about the snow ;) (Whenever I read books about snow or the cold I always get cold, even if it's 90 degrees out? It's so weird!)

2: As far a Christmas-y level, it was half and half. There were Christmas trees everywhere and twinkle lights, but no Christmas cookies or stockings (Although, to be fair, their lives were in danger for two weeks straight)

3: That plot twist though.... I was waiting for it, I've read too many of her books not to be watching for it, but this one was really good.

4: I loved to see Abby face all of her biggest fears in one day! And seeing how it forced her back into the loving arms of her Savior... 😍😍😍

5: Talk about love at first sight! The LoveInspired line most certainly earns its name! All you mushies out there are gonna like this one, I can almost guarantee. (If you don't like it, the problem isn't the book.... *Cough cough*)

12 Days of Blogmas Day 4: Interview with Naomi H Downing

 We are so excited to have Naomi here for this interview! Enjoy her answers guys! 

(A question refresher..... 

1: Favorite Christmas tradition
 2: Favorite Christmas memory
 3: Favorite Christmas book
 4: Favorite Christmas food/recipe
 5: Favorite Christmas movie
 6: Favorite Christmas decoration
 7: Favorite Christmas activity
 8: Favorite Christmas drink (eggnog, hot chocolate, apple cider, punch)
 9: Favorite Christmas blog post idea
10: Favorite Christmas story)

1.     One of my favorite Christmas traditions…. That’s hard. I love everything about Christmas, but one of my favorite things is making Christmas cookies (and eating the cookie dough… and the cookies… :D) while Christmas music plays. Or wrapping Christmas presents while watching a Christmas movie. <3

2.     I don’t know if this is my #1 favorite memory, but I really like it… One time two of my sisters, my mom, my grandma, and I all went Christmas caroling… with only one other family in the church we were attending at the time! It was kind of sad it was only us, but in some ways I think it was more fun. Bigger isn’t always better. ;)

3.     Growing up for a few years, every year I would reread the book The Christmas Barn. It was really sweet and nice.

4.     Every Christmas instead of having a big Christmas dinner that’s all fancy we have sandwiches, and sandwiches are one of my favorite foods… so that makes me happy. ;) I also am making some cinnamon rolls, which I’m hoping will be very yummy!

5.     Since I am very passionate about Christmas, I have a lot of favorite Christmas movies. It’s a Wonderful Life is my favorite ‘serious’ Christmas movie, but I think Santa Clause is my favorite funny Christmas movie! If I really had to choose just one, though, I’d probably go with It’s a Wonderful Life…

6.     Hm… Favorite Christmas decoration… I really like outside lights! White icicle lights are probably one of my favorites, but I also like it when houses have candles and wreaths in the window. So pretty!

7.     Does opening presents count as a favorite Christmas activity? I already stated I enjoy wrapping them… but one thing I like is watching all the Christmas movies I grew up watching with my sister. Sometimes we get new ones and critique them. J

8.     I’m not sure what my favorite Christmas drink is, because I really just drink water most of the time… but I used to make homemade hot chocolate with almond milk and it was pretty amazing, if I do say so myself.

9.     As for a favorite Christmas blog post idea, I’ve been kind of absent from blogging lately, so I’m not really sure what’s going on. I do like seeing Christmas blog posts with a lot of pictures! <3

10.  Alas, I’m boring. I don’t really know any short and sweet Christmas stories…. So I’d have to say my favorite would be on Jesus’ birth. I just don’t really know any other, sadly…. Maybe I need recommendations? J

12 Days of Blogmas Day 3: Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie's famous detective Poirot spends his Christmas, not eating plum pudding and perfectly roasted turkey, but solving the murder of Simeon Lee, a very rich old codger. And it appears that the only possible suspects are the family members. This book is the ultimate locked room mystery.

I'm giving this book 4 stars.

1: I love how literally every person in the story has motive for the murder and in fact Poirot has constructed a scenario in which each of them could have done the deed.

2: Agatha Christie has a way of giving little clues everywhere. You must only just be watching so carefully. With the most careful of observation you may even be able to solve this mystery. Just make sure that you don't discount anything. It's all important.

3: I was not pleased that there was so much language in this book, but as a classic I go a little leaner (that is not quite the word is it? Leniency is the idea though) on that. ( I don't know why?) And this is definitely a classic. You can see, and almost feel really, the time period in the writing. If that makes sense...

4: As far as Christmas stories go, I rather agree with Pilar. I had hoped for a rather traditional British Christmas. Instead, there was not very much celebrating going on. I guess that's the consequence of a fellow being murdered on Christmas Eve.

5: I think Lydia and Pilar were quite sweet together. I loved all the intercharacter relations and feel like each relation was unique from the others. With so many different dynamics it keeps the story interesting beyond the mystery.



As always, thanks for reading! Feel free to contact me any time! And don't forget to have an amazing December!

12 Days of Blogmas Day 2: Interview with Jodie Wolfe

Jodie is a blogger and an author and I am so glad that she was able to do our first Christmas Interview of the year!

 1: Favorite Christmas tradition
1. Reading the Christmas story together on Christmas morning and spending a relaxing day together.
2: Favorite Christmas memory
2. I think I was about seven and our family was getting ready to move. My brothers were I don't know where at the time and my parents were busy packing. I sat on the floor with my back up against the sofa and just stared up at the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.
 3: Favorite Christmas book
3. It's so hard to pick just one favorite Christmas book. I do love reading stories that come out at Christmas.
 4: Favorite Christmas food/recipe
4. Favorite Christmas food/cookie would be peanut blossoms. I eat all around the Hershey kiss and save that for last. :)
 5: Favorite Christmas movie
5. The Santa Clause and The Santa Clause 2. Most years we watch them in November.
 6: Favorite Christmas decoration
6. The creche/nativity my husband and I bought in Germany. The house never seems decorated until I get it set up.
 7: Favorite Christmas activity
7. Our family has a special meal on Christmas Eve, between services, called a Dutch Lunch. We have specialty meats, cheeses, breads, etc.
8: Favorite Christmas drink
8. Wassail.
9: Favorite Christmas blog post idea
9. Since I don't have kids at home anymore, I haven't really looked for any special ideas. My husband and I have gone to some special concerts/performances this year. Does that count? :)
10: Favorite Christmas story
10. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

12 Days of Blogmas Day 1: A Baxter Family Christmas by Karen Kingsbury

First off, before the review, I'm so excited that you are here for Blogmas! It's a little different from last year, but I hope you like it just as much.


Now for the review. A Baxter Family Christmas finds Ashley Baxter Baker at odds with her father, John, over his choice of Christmas Eve guests. John has invited Kendra, who happens to be the woman who got Erin's (his youngest daughter) heart after Erin and her husband and three of her daughters died in a car accident. Ashley is afraid that seeing the woman with Erin's heart will upset her niece Amy, the only survivor of that horrible accident. In another storyline, Maddie West, one of the Baxter cousins, is consumed with guilt over something that happened twelve years ago. Everyone in the Baxter family is in need of a Christmas miracle this year.


This beautiful Christmas book gets 5 stars.

1: Honestly, I have yet to get through a Karen Kingsbury book without crying. Seriously, so sweet. Her books play me like a fiddle. Every time.

2: So this book is like number 24 or something like that in the line-up of Baxter family books, but this was my first experience with them. And I wasn't really all that lost ( I got a few of the kids mixed up a couple times, but with so many, I'd likely do that if I had read all the books three times) because Karen did a really good job explaining back story and incorporating it, and also, at the beginning of the book is a character list which helped a whole lot. I totally want to read the others now!

3: This book did not have a POV that I didn't like! I enjoyed reading from John, Ashley, Amy, Connor, Maddie, and Kendra's view. They each had their own struggles (so relatable) and triumphs and it made it really fun( and like I said, emotional) to read.

4: I know this is in literally everything I write, but I love books with kids. This book definitely fits that category! Like a bajillion kids, as important characters, not just filling in for no good reason. LOVE it!

5: The power of a Christmas miracle, or of many Christmas miracles, as the case may be. How can you not be totally in love with this plot, this story. I'm ready for Christmas to come again! (and it's like February because I need to write this while everything is still very fresh on my mind)